God Grew Tired Of Us (2006)

91% of critics liked it
(70 reviews)
92% of users liked it
(5,591 ratings)

Three young men leave behind a land in chaos to find new lives in a thoroughly different culture in this documentary. As the African nation of Sudan fell into political disarray near the dawn of the 21st century, with unspeakable violence following in its wake, thousands of refugees attempted to… More Three young men leave behind a land in chaos to find new lives in a thoroughly different culture in this documentary. As the African nation of Sudan fell into political disarray near the dawn of the 21st century, with unspeakable violence following in its wake, thousands of refugees attempted to flee the country, making their way into Kenya in hopes of earning passage elsewhere. Jon Bul Dau, Daniel Abu Pach, and Panther Bior were three such people who eventually came to the United States, and filmmaker Christopher Quinn spent four years following them on their journey in a new and unfamiliar land. In God Grew Tired of Us, Quinn documents the young men as they struggle to build new lives for themselves, acquaint themselves with the "American" way of doing things, the difficulties of being black in a primarily white culture, and try to track down the friends and family they were forced to leave behind. God Grew Tired of Us received its North American premier at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival; actor Brad Pitt served as the film's executive producer. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Christopher Dillon Quinn
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Jan 12, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Aug 14, 2007
Studio: Newmarket Films

Critic Reviews

Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Too often with documentaries, we get only the tears. There is no second act or resolution. Christopher Quinn's God Grew Tired of Us gives us reason to hope about a human catastrophe.
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
The film is not a pity party, it's a story of resilient people bearing up under conditions few of us could imagine.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Not as good, nor as complex, as The Lost Boys, but that doesn't make the story of mass annihilation, sprawling refugee camps, the generosity of Americans, and the resilience of a handful of Sudanese survivors any less worthy of telling -- again.
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic
There's no way to not like [John] Dau. Or for that matter, God Grew Tired of Us.
Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle
Their journey isn't over -- many in Africa still desperately need help -- but the hope and opportunities America offers are a grand place to start.
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
This moving documentary by Christopher Quinn vividly contrasts the material hunger of the third world (on the plane trip over the men devour the condiments included with their airline meal) and the spiritual starvation of the first world.
Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
Emotional docu finds hope for Sudan's "lost boys."
Brandon Fibbs, BrandonFibbs.com
Admittedly amusing fish-out-of-water moments are nothing compared to what the boys face as they try to adapt to a wildly foreign culture.
Brian Gibson, Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)
Leaves much unrecorded and unexplained, though. . . . What about the other boys they live with? And does the film focus on John because he's a spokesman for a cause? . . .
Jim Slotek, Jam! Movies
It's an uplifting last act, though not one that comes with solutions to an Africa that seems to cough up one genocide after another. Personal redemption and hope aren't a cure-all, but they do shine a light in the darkness.
Kam Williams, Mount Desert Islander
I've heard of remakes before, but this is the first remake of a documentary I can recall.
Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer
The Lost Boys' gratitude for simple things will humble those of us accustomed to comfort and opportunity. Their endurance, ambition, and compassion should inspire us.
Prairie Miller, WBAI Web Radio
About the untold ways in which males can and have nurtured one another in ways that build and create a sense of family and community.
John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
A thought-provoking film likely to make moviegoers question their own paths in life even as it involves them in the lives of several of the 'Lost Boys' of Sudan...
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
God Grew Tired of Us is a better film than Lost Boys of Sudan, focusing on details of the men's lives and shifting fluidly between three distinct "characters": John, Daniel and Panther.
Marc Mohan, Oregonian
The film's subjects display impressive adaptability, as well as a desire not to forget those they've left behind. The emotional high point is a miraculous reunion between one of the 'Lost Boys' and the mother he'd had no contact with for 17 years.
Michael Wade Simpson, culturevulture.net
It deflates upon arriving in the vast, familiar blandness we know as America.
David Elliott, San Diego Union-Tribune
Christopher Quinn and Tommy Walker made this fine and never simply pleading film, its moving subjects including tall, gentle, tireless, prayerful and humane John Bul Dau.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
In an age where xenophobia is rife, God Grew Tired of Us presents the opposite side of the coin.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jim H

Sudanese refugees adjust to life in America in this documentary. What was most interesting to me was how starkly this film depicts Maslow's hierarchy of needs. After the "Lost Boys" move to America, out of the squalid camp they grew up in, they quickly ascended… More
Sudanese refugees adjust to life in America in this documentary. What was most interesting to me was how starkly this film depicts Maslow's hierarchy of needs. After the "Lost Boys" move to America, out of the squalid camp they grew up in, they quickly ascended Maslow's hierarchy, first craving the basic necessities until the lack of community and Americans' isolationist tendencies becomes too much to handle. The film also depicts genuinely good people. They are hard-working and loving individuals. Such stories are nice in a landscape of anti-heroes. Overall, God Grew Tired of Us is a nice film about a rise from the worst situation to one that is good but imperfect.
Stella D

the so-called 'lost boys' were forced to flee their homes in southern sudan under sentence of death during the civil war there. after seeing their relatives killed and their friends die, after 10 years of wandering and refugee camps, some were relocated to the united… More
the so-called 'lost boys' were forced to flee their homes in southern sudan under sentence of death during the civil war there. after seeing their relatives killed and their friends die, after 10 years of wandering and refugee camps, some were relocated to the united states. this is the story of the immigrant experience of people who had never even seen electricity. fascinating stuff
Bruce B

A Great Film, Having spent most of my life outside the United States, I could somwhat relate to how these guys felt. I remember having been outside the US for 9 years and coming back and going to a grocery store (Publix) and seeing all the choices. To many people here in the Us… More
A Great Film, Having spent most of my life outside the United States, I could somwhat relate to how these guys felt. I remember having been outside the US for 9 years and coming back and going to a grocery store (Publix) and seeing all the choices. To many people here in the Us don't know what it is to do without. Can you imagine anyone in the US walking a 1000 miles, children and women. I don't think so. See this one please.
Anthony L

Engaging and insightful look in to our culture from people who have only the tiniest possible inkling of what they might be getting into.
Wu C

Touching story that also serves as a wake up call to the world.
Sarah P

This was an excellent documentary. The footage of the lost boys making their way to refugee camps along with their stories, in their own words, was devastating. It really makes you think how much we, as an industrialized nation, have and take for granted and don't even think… More
This was an excellent documentary. The footage of the lost boys making their way to refugee camps along with their stories, in their own words, was devastating. It really makes you think how much we, as an industrialized nation, have and take for granted and don't even think about. It was especially interesting to me because I lived in Pittsburgh for much of my life, which is where a lot of the film takes place.
Donna D

Great documentary of the Lost Boys of Sudan. Touching and emotional as well as moving. The story is catching and keeps you intriguied throughout the entire movie.